Engaging Neuroethical Issues Generated by the Use of Neurotechnology in National Security and Defense - Neurotechnology in National Security and Defense - page 272

contribute a variety of perspectives. Yet, synergy is facilitated because all possess an
established level of ethical reasoning knowledge and skills (i.e., journeyman).
The MR-ER descriptions reflect the expected performance of each KSA as the
individual moves from novice toward expertise and as such can be used to evaluate
journeyman-level competencies (Tractenberg et al. 2010). Note that more expert-
level habits of mind that are inculcated and reinforced by the MR are not the same as
mere mastery of information. To the contrary, the MR-ER formalizes performance
at the expert level for each of the target KSAs. As presented here, the MR-ER rep-
resents “the intended results of the cumulative contribution” of an ethics curriculum
(Diamond 1998; Bresiani 2006, p. 14; Devine et al. 2007, pp. 51-52) and as such is
an ideal method for identifying the functional level at which a participant must be
certified before participating in activities required to engage the NELSI process rep-
resented in Figure 17.1 (see also Figure 17.2). Additionally, the MR-ER can be used
to evaluate the efficiency of ethics education and training curricula (Tractenberg
et al. 2010), which can highlight whether and how any given curriculum supports
the development or achievement of specific and requisite KSAs. The original for-
mulation of the MR-ER illustrated the viability of this tool in identifying, analyz-
ing, and compensating for gaps in KSA acquisition and competence (Tractenberg
and FitzGerald 2012). In this way, we propose that the MR-ER can be adopted or
adapted to provide consistent evaluation of the ethics goals and capabilities neces-
sary to address NELSI arising in and from the use of neuro S/T in NSID.
PARSIMONY, OPTIMIZATION, AND PREPAREDNESS
Attempting to develop approaches to address and resolve the neuroethical issues fos-
tered by neuro S/T research and its possible uses and misuse in NSID may be seen as a
Herculean, if not Sisyphean task. Indubitably, we appreciate the complexity and mag-
nitude of the endeavor and effort required. At the core is that any such ethical address
must begin with and proceed from fact(s). The fact is that neuro S/T, like any S/T, can
and will be uptaken and used in NSID agendas worldwide. While existing treaties
aim to constrain and govern the use of biochemical weapons, it is important to recall
that participation in these treaties is not homogenous and often can be skirted through
dual-use neuro S/T research and development. As well, a preparatory—or even pre-
cautionary—stance could establish the need for research to examine the potential
ways that neuro S/T might be employed in NSID, what effects such uses might incur,
and how these could be prevented, mitigated, and/or countered to protect the polis.
Whether inadvertently or intentionally, this too would further neuro S/T research that
could be used in and for NSID.
Simply put, we believe that it would be impossible to stop the incorporation of
neuro S/T into NSID programs, and hence, related NELSI will arise and will require
address, attention, and resolution. This presents a version of the proverbial “Neurath's
Boat” problem, that is, one must find a way to repair the structure and function of
a leaking (if not sinking) boat while underway at sea, given that it is impossible to
begin from the bottom-up. The military allusion is not lost in this conundrum. What
we propose herein will not make the issues any less complicated, or the task(s) any
easier, but we believe that the process, methods, and paradigm offered may enable